Direct vs Indirect Object Pronouns in Spanish (lo, la, los, las, le, les—and se lo)

Pronouns make real-life Spanish faster and smoother. Instead of repeating the same words, you can say things like “Lo quiero” (I want it) or “Le escribo” (I write to her). In this post, you’ll learn the difference between direct and indirect object pronouns, where to put them, and how to use them together—A2 style, clear and practical.

What are direct and indirect objects?

  • Direct object (DO): answers “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.
    • Example: Compré un libro. ¿Qué compré? Un libro (DO).
  • Indirect object (IO): answers “to whom?” or “for whom?” the action is done.
    • Example: Doy un libro a Ana. ¿A quién? A Ana (IO).
Spanish
Compro el pan. Lo compro.
Lit: I buy the bread. It I buy.
I buy the bread. I buy it.
Spanish
Escribo una carta a Marta. Le escribo.
Lit: I write to Marta. To-her I write.
I write a letter to Marta. I write to her.

Direct Object Pronouns (DOP)

Use these to replace the direct object (the thing/person directly affected by the action):

  • me (me)
  • te (you, informal)
  • lo (him/it, masculine)
  • la (her/it, feminine)
  • nos (us)
  • os (you all, Spain)
  • los (them, masculine)
  • las (them, feminine)

Placement basics:

  • Before a conjugated verb: Lo veo.
  • Attached to an infinitive: Quiero verlo.
  • Attached to a gerund: Estoy viéndolo.
  • In affirmative commands: ¡Cómpralo! (Buy it!)

Note: When the direct object is a person, use the “a personal” in the full sentence, but not after you replace with a pronoun: Veo a Juan → Lo veo.

¿Dónde está el libro? No encuentro.

¿Las frutas? No compro hoy.

Spanish
Veo a mi profesora. La veo.
Lit: I see my professor. Her I see.
I see my teacher (female). I see her.

Indirect Object Pronouns (IOP)

Use these to replace the recipient/beneficiary of the action (to/for whom):

  • me (to/for me)
  • te (to/for you)
  • le (to/for him, her, you formal)
  • nos (to/for us)
  • os (to/for you all, Spain)
  • les (to/for them, you all formal)

Placement is the same as DOP:

  • Before a conjugated verb: Le doy una flor.
  • Attached to infinitive/gerund/affirmative commands: Quiero darle una flor; Estoy dándole una flor; ¡Dale la flor! (Give her the flower!).
le
to him / to her / to you (formal)
pronoun
Le escribo cada domingo.
I write to him/her every Sunday.
les
to them / to you (plural, formal)
pronoun
Les mando fotos.
I send photos to them.
lo
him / it (masculine)
pronoun
Lo compro mañana.
I’ll buy it tomorrow.
la
her / it (feminine)
pronoun
La llamo más tarde.
I’ll call her later.
los
them (masculine)
pronoun
¿Los ves?
Do you see them?
las
them (feminine)
pronoun
Las necesito ahora.
I need them now.

A tus padres escribo cada semana.

🧠 Direct or Indirect? Placement and Choice

Using two pronouns together (double object)

Order: indirect object pronoun (IOP) + direct object pronoun (DOP):

  • Te lo doy. (I give it to you.)
  • Le la doy → se la doy. Important change: le/les becomes se when followed by lo/la/los/las.

Where to place them:

  • Before a conjugated verb: Se lo explico.
  • Attached to an infinitive/gerund: Quiero explicárselo / Estoy explicándoselo.
  • In affirmative commands: ¡Dímelo! (Tell it to me!)
🔠 Put the words in order

IOP (te) + DOP (lo) before the conjugated verb, or attach to infinitive (enviártelo).

Le lo explico. → Se lo explico. Change le/les → se when a direct object pronoun follows. Le veo (a Juan). → Lo veo (a Juan). Standard Spanish uses lo for a male direct object. Note: In parts of Spain you may hear le (leísmo), but lo is widely accepted and safe for learners.

El informe está listo. presento a la jefa ahora.

💬 Passing a book at work
di imperative of decir (tell) me IOP (to me) lo DOP (it)
Spanish
¡Dímelo, por favor!
Lit: Tell-me-it, please!
Tell me it, please! → Tell me!

Cultural and usage notes

  • In many regions of Spain, you may hear le used for a male direct object (Le vi a Juan). This is called leísmo. Standard Spanish (and most of Latin America) uses lo (Lo vi a Juan). For A2 learners, stick with lo/la for direct objects and le/les for indirect objects.
  • Pronouns are very common in casual conversation. Once the object is clear, Spanish often uses pronouns to avoid repeating nouns: “¿Tienes el documento?” — “Sí, ya lo envié.”

Quick practice reminders

  • Identify the object type first: ¿qué/quién? (DO) vs ¿a/para quién? (IO).
  • Choose the right pronoun form and gender/number.
  • Place pronouns before the conjugated verb, or attach them to infinitives/gerunds/affirmative commands.
  • With two pronouns: IOP + DOP, and le/les → se.

You’ve got this! Keep your examples short and practical. A few minutes a day saying things like “Se lo doy”, “La veo”, “Les escribo” will make pronouns feel natural.